Triple Angle Formulas

Triple Angle Formulas

Komal MiglaniUpdated on 02 Jul 2025, 07:36 PM IST

The Triple angle formula is used to convert the trigonometric ratios of triple angles into the trigonometric ratios of single angles. The Triple angle formula can be derived using the Trigonometric ratios formula of compound angles( Putting A=B). The triple angle formula is used to solve complex trigonometric identities and convert them to single angles.

This Story also Contains

  1. Triple Angle
  2. Triple Angle Formulas
  3. Proof of Triple-angle formulas

In this article, we will cover the concept of the Triple Angle Formula. This category falls under the broader category of Trigonometry, which is a crucial Chapter in class 11 Mathematics. It is not only essential for board exams but also for competitive exams like the Joint Entrance Examination(JEE Main) and other entrance exams such as SRMJEE, BITSAT, WBJEE, BCECE, and more.

Triple Angle

The Triple angle formula is used to transform the trigonometric ratios of triple angles into the trigonometric ratios of single angles.

Triple Angle Formulas

The Triple angle formula is used to transform the trigonometric ratios of triple angles into the trigonometric ratios of single angles. The Triple angle formulas can be derived from the sum formulas and double angle formulas. We have triple-angle formulas of sin, cos, and tan functions. The triple angle formula is:

1. $\sin 3 \mathrm{~A}=3 \sin \mathrm{A}-4 \sin ^3 \mathrm{~A}$
2. $\cos 3 \mathrm{~A}=4 \cos ^3 \mathrm{~A}-3 \cos A$
3. $\tan 3 \mathrm{~A}=\frac{3 \tan \mathrm{A}-\tan ^3 \mathrm{~A}}{1-3 \tan ^2 \mathrm{~A}}$

What are triple angle formulas?

The Triple angle formula is used to transform the trigonometric ratios of triple angles into the trigonometric ratios of single angles.
1) $\sin 3 A=3 \sin A-4 \sin ^3 A$

This formula is used to convert the triple angle of sine into the expression of a single angle of sine functions.
2) $\cos 3 A=4 \cos ^3 A-3 \cos A$

This formula is used to convert the triple angle of cosine into the expression of a single angle of cosine functions.
3. $\tan 3 \mathrm{~A}=\frac{3 \tan \mathrm{A}-\tan ^3 \mathrm{~A}}{1-3 \tan ^2 \mathrm{~A}}$

This formula is used to convert the triple angle of tangent into the expression of a single angle of tangent functions.

Proof of Triple-angle formulas

These formulas can be derived from the addition formulas and double angle formulas. For example, 3A can be written as (2A + A), and then apply addition formula and double angle formulas to get the results.
$
\begin{aligned}
1 \cdot \sin 3 A & =\sin (2 A+A)=\sin 2 A \cos A+\cos 2 A \sin A \\
& =2 \sin A \cos A \cdot \cos A+\left(1-2 \sin ^2 A\right) \sin A \\
& =2 \sin A \cos ^2 A+\sin A-2 \sin ^3 A \\
& =2 \sin A\left(1-\sin ^2 A\right)+\sin A-2 \sin ^3 A \\
& =2 \sin A-2 \sin ^3 A+\sin A-2 \sin ^3 A \\
& =3 \sin A-4 \sin ^3 A
\end{aligned}
$

2. $\cos 3 A=\cos (2 A+A)=\cos 2 A \cdot A \cos A-\sin 2 A \sin A$

$
\begin{aligned}
& =\left(2 \cos ^2 A-1\right) \cos A-2 \sin A \cos A \cdot \sin A \\
& =2 \cos ^3 A-\cos A-2 \cos A\left(1-\cos ^2 A\right) \\
& =2 \cos ^3 A-\cos A-2 \cos A+2 \cos ^3 A \\
& =4 \cos ^3 A-3 \cos A
\end{aligned}
$

3. $\tan 3 A=\frac{\sin 3 A}{\cos 3 A}=\frac{3 \sin A-4 \sin ^3 A}{4 \cos ^3 A-3 \cos A}$

$
=\frac{\sin \mathrm{A}\left(3-4 \sin ^2 \mathrm{~A}\right)}{\cos \mathrm{A}\left(4 \cos ^2 \mathrm{~A}-3\right)}=\frac{\tan \mathrm{A}\left(3-4 \sin ^2 \mathrm{~A}\right)}{4 \cos ^2 \mathrm{~A}-3}
$


On dividing the numerator and denominator by $\cos ^2 A$,

$
\begin{aligned}
= & \frac{\tan \mathrm{A}\left(3 \sec ^2 \mathrm{~A}-4 \tan ^2 \mathrm{~A}\right)}{4-3 \sec ^2 \mathrm{~A}} \\
= & \frac{\tan \mathrm{A}\left(3+3 \tan ^2 \mathrm{~A}-4 \tan ^2 \mathrm{~A}\right)}{4-3-3 \tan ^2 \mathrm{~A}} \\
& \tan \mathrm{A}\left(3-\tan ^2 \mathrm{~A}\right) 3 \tan \mathrm{A}-\tan ^3 \mathrm{~A}
\end{aligned}
$

Recommended Video Based on Triple Angle Formula:

Solved Example Based on Triple Angle Formula

Example 1: If $\sin ^2\left(10^{\circ}\right) \sin \left(20^{\circ}\right) \sin \left(40^{\circ}\right) \sin \left(50^{\circ}\right) \sin \left(70^{\circ}\right)=\alpha-\frac{1}{16} \sin \left(10^{\circ}\right)$, then $16+\alpha^{-1}$ is equal to $\qquad$
[JEE MAINS 2022]

$
\begin{aligned}
& \text { Solution } \\
& \begin{array}{l}
\sin 10^{\circ}\left(\frac{1}{2} \cdot 2 \sin 20^{\circ} \cdot \sin 40^{\circ}\right) \cdot \sin 10^{\circ} \cdot \sin \left(60^{\circ}-10^{\circ}\right) \cdot \sin \left(60^{\circ}+10^{\circ}\right) \\
\sin 10^{\circ} \cdot \frac{1}{2} \cdot\left(\cos 20^{\circ}-\cos 60^{\circ}\right) \cdot \frac{1}{4} \sin 30^{\circ} \\
\frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{1}{4} \cdot \frac{1}{2} \sin 10^{\circ}\left(\cos 20^{\circ}-\frac{1}{2}\right) \\
=\frac{1}{32}\left(2 \sin 10^{\circ} \cdot \cos 20^{\circ}-\sin 10^{\circ}\right) \\
=\frac{1}{32}\left(\sin 30^{\circ}-\sin 10^{\circ}-\sin 10^{\circ}\right) \\
=\frac{1}{32}\left(\frac{1}{2}-2 \sin 10^{\circ}\right) \\
=\frac{1}{64}\left(1-4 \sin 10^{\circ}\right) \\
=\frac{1}{64}-\frac{1}{16} \sin 10^{\circ}
\end{array}
\end{aligned}
$

Hence $\alpha=\frac{1}{64}$

$
16+\alpha^{-1}=80
$

Hence, the answer is 80 .
Example 2: $16 \sin \left(20^{\circ}\right) \sin \left(40^{\circ}\right) \sin \left(80^{\circ}\right)$ is equal to.
[JEE MAINS 2022]
Solution

$
\begin{gathered}
16 \sin 20^{\circ} \sin 40^{\circ} \sin 80^{\circ} \\
16 \frac{\sin 60^{\circ}}{4}=4\left(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)=2 \sqrt{3}
\end{gathered}
$

Hence, the answer is $2 \sqrt{3}$
Example 3: If the lengths of the sides of a triangle are in A.P. and the greatest angle is double the smallest, then a ratio of lengths of the sides of this triangle is :
Solution: Let $a<b<c$ be sides of $\triangle l e$
$\theta$ is the smallest angle
Three angles are, $\theta, \pi-3 \theta, 2 \theta$.
Given, $2 b=a+c$
Use the sine rule.

Hence, the answer is 4:5:6
Example 4: If $\sin A=\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$ and $\sin \left(60^{\circ}+A\right)=\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$, then find $\sin 3 A$
Solution: Results of Triple Angle Formula-

$
\sin 3 A=4 \sin \left(60^{\circ}-A\right) \cdot \sin A \cdot \sin \left(60^{\circ}+A\right)
$

$
\begin{aligned}
& 2 \sin (B)=\sin (A)+\sin (C) \\
& 2 \sin (3 \theta)=\sin (\theta)+\sin (2 \theta) \\
& 2\left(3 \sin \theta-4 \sin ^3 \theta\right)=\sin \theta(1+2 \cos \theta) \\
& 6-8\left(1-\cos ^2 \theta\right)=1+2 \cos \theta \\
& \cos \theta=\frac{3}{4},-\frac{1}{2}\left(-\frac{1}{2} \text { is rejected }\right) \\
& : a: b: c=\sin A: \sin B: \sin C \\
& =\sin \theta: \sin 3 \theta: \sin 2 \theta \\
& =1: 3-4 \sin ^2 \theta: 2 \cos \theta=1: 4 \cos ^2 \theta-1: 2 \cos \theta \\
& =4: 5: 6
\end{aligned}
$

Where $A$ is the angle

$
\begin{aligned}
& \sin 3 A=4 \sin \left(60^{\circ}-A\right) \cdot \sin A \cdot \sin \left(60^{\circ}+A\right) \\
& \text { If } \sin A=\sin \left(60^{\circ}+A\right)=\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \Rightarrow A=60^{\circ}
\end{aligned}
$
Thus $\sin 3 A=0$
Hence, the answer is 0

Example 5: If $\tan \left(60^{\circ}-A\right)=a ; \tan \left(60^{\circ}+A\right)=b$; and $\tan 3 A=c$; then $\tan A=$
Solution: Results of Triple Angle Formula-

$
\tan 3 A=\tan \left(60^{\circ}-A\right) \tan A \tan \left(60^{\circ}+A\right)
$
Where A is the angle.

$
c=a b \tan A \Rightarrow \tan A=\frac{c}{a b}
$
Hence, the answer is $\mathrm{c} / \mathrm{ab}$


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How do triple angle formulas relate to the concept of frequency modulation in signal processing?
A:
Triple angle formulas are relevant to frequency modulation in signal processing. In FM, the frequency of a carrier wave is varied according to a modulating signal. When the modulating signal includes components at triple the fundamental frequency (represented by triple angle terms), these formulas help in analyzing and describing the resulting complex waveform.
Q: How do triple angle formulas contribute to the understanding of wave superposition?
A:
Triple angle formulas are valuable in understanding wave superposition, particularly when dealing with harmonics. In wave theory, the superposition of a fundamental wave with its third harmonic (represented by triple angle functions) creates complex waveforms. These formulas help in decomposing or synthesizing such complex waves, which is crucial in fields like acoustics and electromagnetic theory.
Q: What is the relationship between triple angle formulas and trigonometric regression models?
A:
Triple angle formulas play a role in trigonometric regression models, which are used to fit periodic data. When a dataset shows a pattern that repeats every third of a cycle, incorporating terms with triple angles (using these formulas) can significantly improve the model's fit. This application is common in fields like climatology, where phenomena might have multiple underlying periodicities.
Q: How can triple angle formulas be applied in computer graphics and animation?
A:
In computer graphics and animation, triple angle formulas can be used to create complex, periodic motions. For example, they can be applied to generate more intricate circular or wave-like movements by combining basic trigonometric functions with their triple angle counterparts. This allows for more diverse and realistic animations, especially in simulating natural phenomena or creating artistic effects.
Q: What is the significance of the coefficients in the triple angle formulas?
A:
The coefficients in triple angle formulas (like 3 and 4 in sin(3θ) = 3sin(θ) - 4sin³(θ)) are not arbitrary. They result from the algebraic process of deriving these formulas and reflect the fundamental relationships between trigonometric functions. Understanding these coefficients helps in remembering the formulas and in appreciating the mathematical structure behind them.
Q: How do triple angle formulas relate to the concept of trigonometric substitution in calculus?
A:
Triple angle formulas can be useful in trigonometric substitution problems in calculus, particularly when dealing with integrals involving cubic terms. For instance, an integral containing (1 - x²)³/² might be solved using a trigonometric substitution of x = sin(θ), where the resulting integral could involve sin³(θ). The triple angle formula for sine can then be applied to simplify this further.
Q: Can triple angle formulas be used in solving systems of trigonometric equations?
A:
Yes, triple angle formulas can be very useful in solving systems of trigonometric equations, especially when the system involves both single and triple angles. By using these formulas to express all terms in terms of a single angle, we can often simplify the system and solve it using standard algebraic techniques or trigonometric identities.
Q: What is the connection between triple angle formulas and the roots of unity in complex numbers?
A:
Triple angle formulas are closely related to the cube roots of unity in complex number theory. The solutions to the equation z³ = 1 in the complex plane are related to the angles 0, 2π/3, and 4π/3. The trigonometric forms of these roots involve cos(2π/3) and sin(2π/3), which can be expressed using triple angle formulas. This connection highlights the deep relationship between trigonometry and complex number theory.
Q: How can triple angle formulas be used in proving other trigonometric identities?
A:
Triple angle formulas are powerful tools in proving other trigonometric identities. They can be used to expand or simplify complex trigonometric expressions involving triple angles. By applying these formulas, we can often reduce complicated identities to simpler forms that are easier to verify or manipulate further.
Q: How do triple angle formulas relate to the concept of symmetry in trigonometric functions?
A:
Triple angle formulas preserve the fundamental symmetries of trigonometric functions. For example, cos(3θ) maintains the even symmetry of cosine, while sin(3θ) maintains the odd symmetry of sine. This preservation of symmetry is crucial in understanding how these formulas behave over different quadrants and in solving equations involving triple angles.